That Napoleon would dare to fall on them was unthinkable.

That there could be a single French soldier in their vicinity save those under Macdonald, being hard pressed by Yorck, never entered anybody's head.
"What Russians are they, do you think ?" asked Marteau of his comrade.
"How should I know ?" growled the other.

"All Russians are alike to me, and----" Marteau, however, had heard discussions during the time he had been on duty in Napoleon's headquarters.
"That will be Sacken's corps, unless I am very much mistaken," he said.
"And those up yonder toward Epernay, where the firing comes from ?" asked the grenadier.
Marteau shook his head.
"We must find out," was the answer.
"Yes, but how ?" "I don't know." "There is only one way," continued Bal-Arret.
"And that is ?" "To go over there, and----" "In these uniforms ?" observed the young officer.

"We should be shot as soon as we should appear, and questioned afterward." "Yes, if there was anything left to question," growled the grenadier.
"The Russians will do some scouting.

Perhaps some of them will come here.